Skip to Main NavigationSkip to content
Saturday 29 March 2025 08:00
Portuguese icon Paulo Futre has described Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as a legend.
The former Atletico Madrid star, who had spell in the Premier League with West Ham United, was at Carrington recently to interview our skipper, in his role as a TV pundit back home.
While naturally retaining a soft spot for the Hammers, he hopes Bruno, alongside Diogo Dalot and playing for head coach Ruben Amorim, can achieve success and more silverware with the Reds, a club he clearly has an enormous amount of respect for.
Paulo Futre took the time to speak with us at Carrington recently.
“Bruno is a great person and a great player,” Futre told us after his chat with our in-form no.8. “He is a great example to all Portuguese players.
“He leads the team and hates to lose. And he can decide a match.
“It is difficult currently [for United] but I really want him to succeed – and the same with Ruben and Diogo.
“My preference is for West Ham but I would be happy if United won [the league]!”
Cristiano Ronaldo, fresh from another international strike after playing with Fernandes and Dalot, shows no signs of letting up on his personal crusade to smash all goal records.
The global superstar, who enjoyed two spells with United of course, was developed at Sporting, like Futre, but even his fellow countryman admits it would have been hard to predict just how brilliant he has managed to become, when making that step in early in his career to move to Manchester.
“Very difficult,” said Futre. “We knew he was great. With his work and dedication at a young age, we knew he was going to be a great. However, it was impossible to see the animal he would become.”
Paulo Futre playing at Wembley in 1987.
Obviously, one of the great debates that rages in football is where does Ronaldo sit when it comes to the best player of all time. One of the other challengers to this claim is clearly Diego Maradona and Futre is well judged to pass comment, having played alongside the Argentinian marvel in a Football League Centenary game at Wembley back in 1987.
It was an occasion he remembers well, even if our very own Bryan Robson (2) and Norman Whiteside got the goals to ensure defeat for the Rest of the World XI, managed by Terry Venables.
“It was an all-star game, so I was honoured,” he recalled. “When I saw the list and saw Maradona’s name, I thought ‘wow’ and didn’t know if I was going to play or not. I was so happy when he read the names out.
“Eight – Lineker, nine – Platini, 10 – Maradona and 11 – Futre. It was a great game but we lost 3-0.”
When asked how he’d compare Maradona with Ronaldo, he replied: “Well, Maradona and Lionel Messi have more talent. I think Cristiano is the most complete player, though. It is so difficult.
“It wouldn’t be fair not to mention Pele too.”
Bryan Robson and Pele after the Football League Centenary game.
Robson ran the show at Wembley in the centenary game and collected the trophy from Pele after the final whistle.
Our former captain had been a formidable opponent for Futre’s Atletico Madrid when the two teams met in the 1991/92 European Cup-Winners’ Cup, when Alex Ferguson’s men were the holders.
“I first watched him play when I was 14 and I was able to play against him too,” added the Portuguese. “I look at him with a lot of admiration. I first played against him for Portugal and then, after that, with Manchester United.
“He is a very different player to me, he is a box-to-box number eight, whereas I am more attacking.”
Futre will be watching United’s progress with interest, as his fellow countrymen look to continue making a big impact at Old Trafford.
Recommended:
Saturday 29 March 2025 08:00
Back to Top
